Tunji Akinola praised his fellow defenders as West Ham United’s U23s battled hard to earn a goalless draw with Leicester City on Friday.
The Foxes, second in Premier League 2 Division 1 and in touching distance of leaders Liverpool, fielded a multi-million pound starting XI which contained the likes of Adrien Silva, Ahmed Musa and Robert Huth.
But the Hammers remained solid and resolute and the back and had the better of the play going forward, almost nicking maximum points on a number of occasions.
Having started the year with a 3-0 away victory at Manchester United on Monday, the draw sealed the side’s fourth point of the week and Akinola admitted his team are delighted with that return.
“Leicester are a good team and are near the top for a reason,” he said. “They made it really hard for us but I was very happy with the way the boys defended, particularly the back four and the keeper.
“We stayed solid and got everything done that we needed to.
“Terry said before the game there was £45m worth of talent in their team so for us to do what we did today is a credit to us all.
“Maybe we could have nicked a goal if we’re being picky, but grinding out a result is also really important and we’ll take that.
Grinding out a result is also really important and we’ll take that. There was £45m worth of talent in their team so for us to do what we did today is a credit to us all
Tunji Akinola
Akinola started in central defence alongside Ajibola Alese, who turns 17 next week, for the second time in as many games.
The youngster was injured for the majority of the first half of the campaign but Akinola has struck up a terrific partnership with the teenager, who has impressed when stepping up to the U23s.
“Aji has been out for a long but it’s good to have him back alongside me,” Akinola said of his teammate. “When I’ve seen him at the training ground I’ve told him to just keep working.
“I like playing with him. I feel like we understand each other well. It must be because we’re both from Nigeria!
“We have a good relationship. Today him, and the rest of the lads, defended really well.
“We want to look ahead now. In a way it’s frustrating we have that wait [for a couple of weeks until the next game] because you want the momentum to keep rolling.
“But saying that, it’s been a tough start to the year with two games so hopefully we can use these two weeks to recover and rest and go into the Swansea game in full tilt.”